Downey's newest church

Dear Editor: Last Sunday, March 22, marked a day of celebration and rejoicing for the members of Desert Reign. About 350 supporters gathered together to celebrate this auspicious occasion of the new church building located at 11610 Lakewood Blvd. It was with great jubilation that they marched from the parking lot into their new building. The adults followed after the children who entered first, waving colorful banners and ribbons while singing songs of triumph as they entered the main sanctuary. The story of this building dates back about six years, when the congregation outgrew their former building in Cerritos. What was then known as Stats on Lakewood Boulevard was purchased by the church. Facing zoning and building code issues, among other obstacles, the bongregation began its long road to building a new structure. This took almost eight years to come to fruition. According to several members of the congregation I spoke with Sunday, it was all worth it. The celebration inside brought tears to my eyes when I looked at church attendees singing and communing with God, and so engulfed in the worship as if the Holy Spirit was right there in the midst of everything. The worship was like nothing I‚Äàhave ever seen before with several guitarists, including the pastor of the church who brought the house down, and the worship leader dancing her way from one end of the stage to the other. This experience is one that will last a lifetime in my cherished memories and I am looking forward to next Sunday with much anticipation. For further information, feel free to visit the church's website at www.desertreign.org or call the church office at (562) 861-6011. - Irene Hernandez, Downey********** Published: March 27, 2009 - Volume 7 - Issue 49